Washdown pumps

K

Kahuna

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Dec 1, 2003
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12514
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73
Need recommendations for a washdown pump, and associated hardware-faucet or hook-up device, GPM, pressure rating etc. Anything I should avoid?
I want to be able to use raw water from the river to clean my boat- a 40'houseboat. Our marina is limiting boat washes to 1-2 times a year. This is unacceptable because of dirt and debris from trees, and dust from mowing and the parking lot. I figure my best bet is a pump and hose- anchor out and clean away.
 
Willie, that's exactly what I want to do. What size piping do they use? I've got a long length of the blue plastic 1/2". Will that hook up to the faucets?
 
My houseboat is plumbed with regular 1/2" PVC, you can get hose bibs (I actually used sillcocks, with a flange) to fit 1/2" or 3/4" pipe thread, and all kinds of fittings for the PVC. If you prefer you can use the flexible stuff and I'm sure you can still get the appropriate adapters.

The Blaster comes with adapters for 1/2" hose. To reduce noise and vibration they recommend at least 12" of flexible hose at the pump. After that you can use whatever you want. Basically, you plumb it just like your potable water system.

Make sure you turn the pump OFF when not in use... 'cause if something breaks it can pump your boat full of water. I note you're in Ohio, so put appropriate drains or whatever you do for freeze protection.
 
I recommend paying close attention to the installation. Washdown pumps are REALLY good at sinking boats.
 
I have mine hooked up to a thru-hull that I will keep the valve closed and only open it when I want to use the raw water wash down. It is close to my waste discharge handle so keeping it closed or disabled would be similar to using my PuraSan Hold-N-Treat discharge thru-hull. Double clamp everything below the waterline. Bill
 
i agree with Bill and Mike... make sure everything is double clamped and that the pump is kept off (at the breaker) if you are not using it. Since most of the pumps (like the Shurflo Blaster) are self priming, you can install them above water line. you will need a strainer between the sea cock and the pump as well.

what you dont' want is a hose failure after the pump which woudl cause the pump to run and run and pump water in the boat. that's why you wnat to keep the breaker off when not in use.
 
I have a Sure Flo Extreme Blaster, 45psi, 5.6GPM I use for raw water wash down, specifically anchor chain. It gets a lot of use and really does the job; one of the best add-ons we have done. We went ahead and used an accumulator tank as well; nice, but not necessary.

In my case I used heavy duty quick release fittings commonly seen on Hatteras boats. These cut down the amount of plumbing sticking out of hull, but add extra expense for the hose-side fittings. While kind of cool and uncluttered ( you don't have to screw the hose on every time; I wouldn't trust those garden hose quick connects in this use) , they are really not worth the extra expense.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. Billy, I'm the one who bought your isolation transformers. They're installed and working well. Thanks.
 
Kahunu,

This might be a dumb question but, why is your marina limiting you to 1-2 washes.....a year????

That's a lot of dirty boats in Cincy. It's not like it's the Bahamas.

And washing your boat with Ohio river water is like just....uhhh...sort of washing your boat, if you know what I mean. The river has been pretty muddy the last couple of weeks.

David
 
I have both fresh and raw water wash downs in the cockpit. I rarely use the raw water there but I really wish I had one at the bow for cleaning off the anchor.
 
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